Uranus

Entering the Realm of The Open
​Discussing the mythology of Uranus
by Federico
​ 
Entering Uranus is entering the world of outer planets. This is the first of the transpersonal planets, i.e. those that are beyond personal planets (Mercury, Venus and Mars), and beyond social planets (Jupiter and Saturn), which regulate society – Jupiter by providing the laws and principles, and Saturn as the authority or judge that applies them, case by case, through careful examination.

The world of the transpersonal planets is the land of transformation of reality. It seems that the long line of planets leading to Saturn is in charge of building that reality, while those planets, (and we will take Pluto as an astrological planet), that are invisible to the human naked eye, are in charge of making it no longer what it was.
The first reference of Uranus is the sky. Paradoxical as it may sound, in Astrology the sky is a planet. The Topos Ouranos as open celestial space, when symbolically embodied in a planet, favours freedom and sudden changes.

Greek mythology explains that Saturn/Cronos was able to subdue his father Uranus by emasculating him. Uranus lived in continuous creative folding with Gaea Earth, the mother who could not bear this continuous state of pregnancy and harbouring of forms. In order to castrate his father, Saturn used a diamond sickle to initiate the reign of time, and with time comes death, as forms can only remain in space for a certain period.

The reign of time begins with this primordial separation from Space. However in Uranus’s domain, time and space are still united. Eternity is present in the instant, and here is everywhere. Therefore the Uranian consciousness is available spontaneously whenever we free ourselves from the weight of the mind, emotion, language or life. For these reasons it is a planet that is not sought, it is found, to paraphrase Picasso´s dictum. 

Uranian manifestation has been associated with sudden and unexpected change: the masterstroke, the surprise, the eureka moment. In a natal chart his presence will provide an electric and creative quality to the house or natal planet it touches.

This planet is usually related to electrical energy, disconnection, sudden cuts and drastic alterations. However, its action can also be interpreted as leading to an integration into a larger whole. Thus, the couple that abruptly ends their relationship, abandons their small world of two, to connect in a foreign world of possibilities. Uranus cuts on one side but connects on the other. We tend to see the disruptive aspect, but not the connective one.

For example, if we experience a transit of Uranus over our Jupiter – a planet associated with our inner guidance – then our way of seeking meaning, our philosophy of life and our plans of projection will most likely undergo changes that could be interpreted with frustration, or simply as change – as the case may be.

In the world of events, if this Jupiter is incarnated in a person in our life, for example an older sibling, a wise friend or a teacher, that person who represents Jupiter may suffer an abrupt change. In this sense from one moment to another that older sibling may suddenly have to leave on a trip, our mentor teacher might be replaced by a substitute teacher, or our trusted friend may drastically change her mind on a subject of consultation.

This same sudden absence of reference will lead us to seek advice from ourselves or an alternative source, to renew our interest in the subject beyond the perspective of the teacher who taught us, or to confront this friend who changed her mind.

We see how Uranus touching the guiding principle alters that very principle and renews it, the same can be applied to other planets. Reality presents multiple scenarios in order to express the celestial dialogue of planets.

Uranus, in this brutal act of openness, adds a random element into our life: it puts us in contact with unplanned variables that can either exceed our expectations or – as often happens – presents a qualitative leap with respect to what we expected. This is characterized by a moment of emptiness, of taking us by surprise, of not knowing where we are, of loss of references and the irruption of the solution that appears "out of the blue".

A person with Uranus in the 5th house, the house of self-expression and personal passions, (e.g., Pierre Cardin, revolutionary fashion genius), will present himself as a rebel, unconventional, seeking to exercise this freedom in its manifestation; that same person with Uranus in 2nd house, the house of possessions and values, will present the Uranian qualities in the way of accumulating, that means that the resources coming from unexpected sources, from freelance jobs, from subjects that might not have defined form yet . When we see Uranus in a house it will show a fresh air and uncontainable energy.

Another interesting manifestation of Uranus is related to the change of paradigm or of focus that allows us to see things from another angle. This quality implies a going beyond the purpose, lateral thinking, flying over the labyrinth in order to escape from it. Whenever this type of change of perspective occurs, we can feel the touch of Uranus in our lives.

This primordial God who exists since time and space were together and everything was form and creation, reminds us that Creation is continuous and that we can always participate in Eternity by renewing our belonging to the sky.